1. Command terms in IB Biology
All IB Biology questions and assessment statements are built around these command terms given in page 11 and 12 of the IB Biology subject guide(your syllabus).
These terms in questions give you an idea of what is expected of you.
Underline the command terms in the exam!

2. Objective 1 Demonstrate an understanding of:
Scientific facts and concepts
Scientific methods and techniques
Scientific terminology
Methods of presenting scientific information
Define Draw Label
List Measure State

3. Define:
Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase or physical quantity
Example: Define Species.
A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

4. Draw and Label
Represent by means of clear, dark pencil lines (no coloring needed) and add labels
Example: Draw and label a diagram of the structure of a motor neuron

5. Label Add labels to a diagram Example: Label
the parts of a motor neuron
library.kiwix.org A D C B H F G E

6. List
Give a sequence of names or other brief answers with no explanation
Examples:
List three functions of lipids
List two examples of fibrous proteins
List seven levels in the hierarchy of taxa
(use mnemonics to remember the order here – King Philip Came Over For a Good Sphagetti)

7. Measure Find a value for a quantity Use a ruler, present your
answers in metric, SI units
Example: Measure the length of the specimen
Generally you will need to calculate from a measurement, rather than measure directly.
onearth.org

8. State
Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation
Example:
State the composition and the function of the plant cell wall.

9. Objective 2 APPLY AND USE: Scientific facts and concepts
Scientific methods and techniques
Scientific terminology to communicate effectively appropriate method to present scientific information
Annotate Apply Calculate Describe Distinguish Estimate Identify Outline

10. Annotate Add brief notes to a diagram or graph
In addition to labelling, some explanation/causes must be given
Example: Annotate a graph showing hormone levels in menstrual cycle
Progesterone
Maintains endometrium
Inhibits FSH and LH
FSH and LH peak causing ovulation
Oestrogen thickens endometrium
FSH and LH stimulate development of oocyte
Pritamaulipas.org.mx

11. Apply
Use an idea, equation, principle, theory or law in a new situation
Example: Apply the dichotomous key to identify the flowering plant:
1.reproduce by means of seeds go to 2
Reproduce by means of spores go to 3
2. Seeds are made in cones A
Seeds are made in fruits B
3.Spores are made in capsule C
Spores are made under leaves D

12. Calculate
Find a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working
Example: Calculate the magnification of the image of the prokaryote
Show your working!
Use the correct SI unit!

13. Give a detailed account
Describe
Give a detailed account
Example:
Describe the metabolic events of germination in a typical starchy seed.
‘Describe’ is not same as ‘explain’
Pay attention to the marks available for the question
Descriptions can be of processes or of parts of a data or graph

14. Distinguish Give the differences between two or more different terms
Example:
Distinguish between antigens and antibodies
No need to present similarities
Look for as many differences as there are marks for the questions

15. Estimate Find an appropriate value for an unknown quantity
Can be from graphical questions

16. Identify Find an answer from a given number of possibilities
Example:
“Identify the response time of group 2 on day 31 of the study.”
Response time (secs)
“Identify the group with the largest difference in response time from day 2 to day 31.”
May2009TZ1SLP3
Pick one single answer
‘Identify’ can be used for part of diagram or graph

17. Outline Give a brief account or summary
Example: . Outline the international system used for naming species of living organisms. (4 marks)
binomial system
devised by Linnaeus
the first name is the genus name and the second name is the species name
genus name can be abbreviated, upper case for first letter of genus name and the rest of the binomial is lower case
Homo sapiens is the binomial of humans
first published name is the correct one
local / colloquial names can be very confusing / helps international communication
Outline is a step-by-step summary or account without reasons or explanation
Present your answers neatly and clearly to get full marks

18. Objective 3 Construct, analyse and evaluate:
Hypotheses, research questions and predictions
Scientific methods and techniques
Scientific explanations

19. Analyse Interpret data to reach conclusions
Read the data thoroughly and underline the important words
Use the data to reach the conclusion
Pay attention to marks available
Example:
“Analyse the results of this experiment.”
QuestionBank CD Rom

20. Comment
Give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation

21. Compare
Give an account of similarities and differences between two or more items referring to both (all) of them throughout.
Example: Compare the structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. 5 marks
DNA: P: naked/loop of DNA; E: associated with protein/histones/nucleosomes/DNA in chromosomes
location of DNA: P:no nucleus; E: within a nucleus/nuclear membrane
membrane bound organelles: P: none; E: present
ribosomes: P: 70S ; E: 80S
plasma membrane: P & E: same structure within both groups
respiratory structures: P: no mitochondria; E: mitochondria
pili: P: pili present E: pili absent;
plasmids: P: plasmids (sometimes) present E:plasmids absent;
flagella: P: flagella solid E: flagella flexible/membrane-bound

22. CONSTRUCT Represent or develop in graphical form
Construct a pyramid of energy for this grassland:
The total solar energy received by a grassland is 4 × l05 kJ m–2 y–1. The net production of the grassland is 4.5 × 102 kJ m–2 y–1 and its gross
production is 5 × l02 kJ m–2 y–1. The total energy passed on to primary consumers is 50 kJ m–2 y–1. Only 10 % of this energy is passed on to the secondary consumers.”

23. Deduce Reach a conclusion from the information given
Example: Deduce the trophic level of Tuna in the given food web
Shark
Marlin
Plankton
Tuna
Shrimp
Herring

24. Derive
Manipulate a mathematical relationship to give a new equation or relationship

25. Design
Produce a plan, simulation or model

26. Determine Find the only possible answer
In a species of plant, tall is dominant to short and the production of round seeds is dominant to that of wrinkled seeds. The alleles are unlinked.
A plant heterozygous for both characteristics is crossed with a plant homozygous for tall with wrinkled seeds.
Determine the phenotypes and genotypes of the offspring of this cross.

27. Discuss
Give an account including, where possible, a range of arguments for and against the relative importance of various factors, or comparisons of alternative hypotheses
Example: Discuss the ethical implications of IVF
chance for infertile couples to have children;
genetic screening of embryos could decrease suffering from genetic diseases;
spare embryos can safely be stored for future pregnancies/used for stem cell research;
IVF is expensive and might not be equally accessible;
success rate is low therefore it is stressful for the couple;
it is not natural/cultural/religious objections;
could lead to eugenics/gender choice;
could lead to (unwanted) multiple pregnancies with associated risks.

28. Evaluate Assess the implications and limitations
Example:
“Evaluate the evidence for global warming, using figures A and B (2).”
Biology Specimen Paper, 2009
Do not just describe, use evaluative language. Think of the reliability and limitations the given data have to arrive at a conclusion.

29. Explain Give a detailed account of the causes, reasons or mechanisms
Using an example you have studied, explain a cross between two linked genes, including the way in which recombinants are produced.

30. Predict Give an expected result
A farmer has rabbits with two particular traits, each controlled by a separate gene. Coat colour brown is completely dominant to white. Tailed is completely dominant to tail-less. A brown, tailed male rabbit that is heterozygous at both loci is crossed with a white, tail-less female rabbit. A large number of offspring is produced with only two phenotypes: brown and tailed, white and tail-less, and the two types are in equal numbers.
Predict the genotypic and phenotypic ratios of the F2 generation. Show your working.

31. Show Give the steps in a calculation or derivation
Example:
“A male and female with normal colour vision each have a father who is colour blind. They are planning to have children. Predict, showing your working, the possible phenotypes and genotypes of male and female children.”
QuestionBank CD Rom
Always show your working in ‘calculate’ and ‘determine’ questions!

32. Sketch
Represent by means of a graph showing a line and labelled but unscaled axes with important features clearly indicated.
Example:
“Sketch a graph to predict the effect of manipulating pH on the activity of an enzyme which has an optimal pH of 7.”
Optimum pH
Enzyme activity
denatured pH

33. Suggest Propose a hypothesis or other possible answer
Example:
“Suggest one reason in each case for the change in quantity of fish captured in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans from 1980 to 1990.”
QuestionBank CD Rom